Liquid crystal display module for notebook computer and method of assembling the same

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display module and a fabricating method thereof utilizes a reverse direction assembly of the liquid crystal display module to prevent light leakage caused by the movement of a reflector. The liquid crystal display module for the notebook computer includes a liquid crystal display panel in which a liquid crystal is injected between two substrates, a light guide panel converting incident light from a light source to a flat type light and directing the light toward the liquid crystal display panel, a reflector wrapping the bottom surface of the light guide panel, a main support containing the liquid crystal display panel and the light guide panel, and a clamping member disposed in the reflector and the main support for fixing the reflector and the main support.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.P2000-79990 filed on Dec. 22, 2000, which is hereby incorporated byreference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a liquid crystal display module for notebookcomputers, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display module anda fabricating method thereof which is capable of assembling a liquidcrystal display module in a reverse direction and preventing lightleakage caused by the movement of a reflector.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a notebook computer (hereafter NTPC) is manufactured in thesize of a notebook for a user to use information while traveling. Aliquid crystal display module (hereafter LCM) is used as a displaydevice to display the information in the NTPC.

Referring to FIG. 1 and 2, a LCM for a NTPC includes a liquid crystaldisplay panel 20, a light guide panel 4 converting light incident from alight source so that the light is directed toward the liquid crystaldisplay panel 20; a reflector 8 for preventing a light leakage through arear surface of the light guide panel 4; a main support 6 for fixing thelight guide panel 4; a bottom cover 2 wrapping a side surface and abottom surface of the main support 6; and a top case 10 wrapping a sidesurface of the bottom cover 2 and the main support 6 and wrapping anedge of the liquid crystal display panel 20.

The liquid crystal display panel 20 includes an active area where liquidcrystal cells are arranged in an active matrix configuration, anddriving circuits 14 for driving the liquid crystal cells in the activearea.

More particularly, the liquid crystal display panel 20 includes a thinfilm transistor for switching liquid crystal cells; a driving circuit 14for driving the thin film transistor; a lower plate 18 where signallines 16 connected between a driving circuit 14 and the thin filmtransistor are mounted on a lower substrate; an upper plate 17 havingcolor filters (not shown) divided by cell areas and spread by means of ablack matrix band corresponding to a matrix liquid cells on an uppersubstrate, and a transparent electrode (not shown) on the surface of thecolor filters. Liquid crystal (not shown) fills the space between theupper plate 17 and the lower plate 18, which is provided by a spacer(not shown) for maintaining a fixed cell gap.

The light guide panel 4 directs the light incident from a light source(not shown) toward the liquid crystal display panel 20. The reflector 8reflects the light which is directed toward the main support 6 of thelight guide panel 4 back again toward the light guide panel 4 so as toprevent the light leakage.

The main support 6 is molded. An inner side wall of the main support ismolded to have a stepped face. The reflector 8, the light guide panel 4,an optical sheet 22 and a back light unit, which includes a lamp housing(not shown), are mounted in the lowest layer of the inside of this mainsupport 6. The liquid crystal display panel 20, to which a upper and alower polarizers 26 and 24 are attached respectively, is placed on theback light unit.

The optical sheet 22 includes a diffusion sheet for diffusing the lightthat passes through the light guide panel 4 and a prism sheet foradjusting the direction of the light that passes through the diffusionsheet.

The bottom cover 2 includes a planar bottom surface part and a sidesurface part which are substantially perpendicular to each other forsubstantially surrounding the bottom surface and side surface of themain support 6.

The top case 10 generally has the shape of a square band having a planarsurface part and a side surface part substantially perpendicular to eachother. This top case 10 wraps the edge of the liquid crystal panel 20and the main support 6.

A description of the conventional assembly order of the LCM for NTPC bysteps is as follows.

The order in which the LCM is assembled includes providing the bottomcover 2, the main support 6, the reflector 8, the light guide panel 4,the optical sheet 22, the liquid crystal display panel 20 to which theupper and the lower polarizers 26 and 24 are attached, and finally thetop case 10.

Due to the nature of the previously mentioned assembly order, the lightguide panel 4 is assembled after assembling the reflector 8, such thatthe light guide panel 4 is affixed to the top of the reflector 8.Accordingly, the reflector 8 wraps the bottom surface of the light guidepanel 4 to prevent the light leakage of the light guide panel 4. Asshown in FIG. 3, a part projecting from the side surface of thereflector 8 is inserted into the groove 28 formed in the support main 6.

However, there is a need to make the previously described LCM of theNTPC slim to reduce its thickness and weight. To make the LCM slim, itis conventionally assembled in reverse direction of the previouslydescribed assembly order which includes providing the main support 6,the optical sheet 22, the light guide panel 4, the reflector 8, thebottom cover 2 and the top case 10.

Unfortunately, if the conventional LCM is assembled in the reversedirection, movement of the reflector 8 occurs, causing poor assemblyyields. Also, due to such the movement of the reflector 8, light leakageoccurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a liquid crystaldisplay module and a fabricating method thereof that substantiallyobviates one or more of the problems due to limitations anddisadvantages of the related art.

Accordingly, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide aliquid crystal display module and a fabricating method thereof for usinga reversed direction assembly order of the liquid crystal display moduleand preventing light leakage caused by the movement of a reflector.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description that follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Otheradvantages of the invention will be realized and attained by thestructure particularly pointed out in the written description and claimshereof as well as the appended drawings.

In order to achieve these and other advantages of the invention, aliquid crystal display module for a notebook computer according to oneaspect of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panelin which a liquid crystal is injected between two substrates; a lightguide panel having incident light from a light source converted to aflat type light wherein the converted light progresses toward the liquidcrystal display panel; a reflector wrapping a bottom surface of thelight guide panel; a main support containing the liquid crystal displaypanel and the light guide panel; and a clamping member disposed in thereflector and adjacent the main support for fixing them.

The clamping member includes a protrusion projected to a fixed heightfrom a surface of the main support; and a hole which is formed in thereflector and through which the protrusion of the main supportpenetrates.

The liquid crystal display module further includes an optical sheetpositioned between the liquid crystal display panel and the light guidepanel for diffusing the light that passes through the light guide paneland/or adjusting the direction of the light; a bottom cover wrapping therear surface of the reflector as well as the side surface and the bottomsurface of the main support; and a top case wrapping the side surface ofthe main support and the bottom cover, and wrapping the upper edge ofthe main support.

The bottom cover includes a hole through which the protrusion of themain support penetrates.

A method of fabricating a liquid crystal display module for a notebookcomputer includes assembling a liquid crystal display panel, a lightsource, a light guide panel, a reflector and an optical sheet into amain support. Another aspect of the present invention includes the stepsof turning the main support over so that a receiving space of a backlight unit and the liquid crystal display panel faces upward; depositingat least one optical sheet in the receiving space of the main support;putting the light guide panel on the optical sheet; and putting thereflector on the light guide panel.

The method further includes the steps of mounting onto the main support,a bottom cover wrapping the rear surface of the reflector and a sidesurface and the bottom surface of the main support; turning the mainsupport over again; putting the liquid crystal display panel on thetwice turned-over main support; and mounting a top case to wrap the edgeof the liquid crystal display panel and the side surface of the mainsupport.

In the method, a protrusion is formed from the main support for fixingthe reflector.

A first hole is formed in the reflector allowing the protrusion of themain support penetrate through it.

A second hole is formed in the bottom cover allowing the protrusion ofthe main support penetrate through it.

In the method, the protrusion of the main support is inserted into thefirst hole when the reflector is put on the light guide panel so thatthe main support and the reflector are fixed as soon as the reflector ismounted on the main support.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated and constitute partof this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective showing a conventional liquid crystal displaymodule for a notebook computer;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view representing a liquid crystal display moduletaken along the line I-I shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the magnification of the B part shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal display module for anotebook computer according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the magnification of the C part shown in FIG.4; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart representing the assembly sequence of a liquidcrystal display module for a notebook computer according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the presentinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a liquid crystal display module for anotebook computer according to the present invention includes a liquidcrystal display panel 50, a light guide panel 34 having light incidentfrom a light source directed toward the liquid crystal display panel 50,a reflector 38 for preventing light leakage through a rear surface ofthe light guide panel 34, a main support 36 for fixing the light guidepanel 34, a bottom cover 32 wrapping a side surface and a bottom surfaceof the main support 36, and a top case 40 wrapping a side surface of thebottom cover 32 and the main support 36 and wrapping the edge of theliquid crystal display panel 50.

The liquid crystal display panel 50 includes an active area where liquidcrystal cells are arranged in an active matrix configuration, anddriving circuits 44 for driving the liquid crystal cells in the activearea.

The liquid crystal display panel 50 includes a thin film transistor forswitching liquid crystal cells; a driving circuit 44 for driving thethin film transistor; a lower plate 48 where signal lines 46 connectedbetween a driving circuit 44 and the thin film transistor are mounted ona lower substrate; a upper plate 47 consisting of color filters (notshown) divided by cell areas and spread by means of a black matrix bandcorresponding to the matrix liquid cells on an upper substrate, and atransparent electrode (not shown) on the surface of the color filters;and liquid crystal (not shown) formed to fill in the space between theupper plate 47 and the lower plate 48, which is provided by a spacer(not shown) securing a fixed cell gap.

The light guide panel 34 directs the light incident from a light source(not shown) toward the liquid crystal display panel 20.

Between the liquid crystal display panel 50 and light guide panel 34,there is deposited an optical sheet 52 consisting of a diffusion sheetfor diffusing the light that passes through the light guide panel 34 anda prism sheet for adjusting the direction of the light that passesthrough the diffusion sheet.

The reflector 38 reflects the light which progresses toward the mainsupport 36 from the light guide panel 34, back again toward the lightguide panel 34 so as to prevent the light leakage. Also, the reflector38 is extended toward the main support 36 thereby preventing themovement of the reflector upon assembly. In the extended reflector 38, afirst hole 60 is formed.

The main support 36 is molded such that an inner side wall of the mainsupport has a stepped surface. These stepped surface has a structuredifferent from the conventional structure and includes a stepped facefor supporting the optical sheet 52 and a stepped face for supportingthe light guide panel 34.

Also, a clamping member including a guide surface 58 of a protrusion 30,e.g., a boss, of the main support 36 engages a hole 60 in the reflector38 and which fixes the reflector 38 in the horizontal direction.Thereby, reverse direction assembly becomes possible for making the LCMslim.

The protrusion 30 of the main support 36 with a fixed height isprojected on a corresponding location to the first hole 60 formed in thereflector 38. The protrusion 30 is projected in the manner such that itsheight is not greater than the sum of a thickness of the reflector 38and a thickness of the bottom cover 32. The shape of the protrusion 30is not limited to a boss, but may be of any shape including a crosssection that is substantially rectangular, triangular, oval, etc.

The bottom cover 32 includes a substantially planar surface part 32 aand a side surface part 32 b which are substantially perpendicular toeach other for wrapping the bottom surface and side surface of the mainsupport 36. Also, in the bottom cover 32, there is formed a second hole42 through which the protrusion 30 formed in the main support 36penetrates.

The main support 36, the reflector 38, the light guide panel 34, theoptical sheet 52 and a back light unit, which includes a lamp housing(not shown) are mounted on this bottom cover 32, and the liquid crystaldisplay panel 50, to which a upper and a lower polarizers 56, 54 areattached, respectively, are deposited thereon.

The top case 40 is substantially in the shape of a square or rectangularband having a substantially planar surface part 40 a and a side surfacepart 40 b substantially perpendicular to each other. This top case 40wraps the edge of the liquid crystal display panel 50, and a sidesurface of the main support 36 and the bottom cover 32.

Likewise, an explanation of the assembly sequence of the LCM for theNTPC according to the present invention with the reference to FIG. 4 isas follows.

The LCM is completed by assembling, in order, the main support 36, theoptical sheet 52, the light guide panel 34, the reflector 38, the bottomcover 32, the liquid crystal display panel 50 and the top case 40.

More particularly, the main support 36 is configured to have a receivingspace facing upward. Then, the optical sheet 52 is put on the mainsupport 36. (S1).

Next, the light guide panel 34 is put on the optical sheet 52 and thereflector 38 is put on the optical sheet 52. (S2, S3) At this moment,the protrusion 30 formed in the main support 36 penetrates the firsthole 60 formed in the reflector 38.

Consequently, there is no movement in the reflector 38 due to thepresence of the protrusion 30 of the main support 36.

Consequently, the reflector 38 wraps the bottom surface of the lightguide panel 34.

Subsequently, the bottom cover 32 is mounted on the main support 36 inthe manner of wrapping the rear surface of the reflector 38, and therear surface and the side surface of the main support 36. (S4) At thismoment, the protrusion 30 of the main support 36 penetrates the secondhole 42 formed in the bottom cover 32. The protrusion 30 penetrating thesecond hole 42 is less than the sum of the thickness of the bottom cover32 and the reflector 38, so that it does not extend beyond the rearsurface of the bottom cover 32.

Then, the main support 36 with its bottom and side surfaces wrapped bythe bottom cover 32, is turned over to put the liquid crystal displaypanel 50 thereon. (S5)

Subsequently, the LCM is completed by assembling the top case 40wrapping the side surface of the bottom cover 32 and the edge of theliquid crystal display panel 50. (S6)

Thus, in the LCM according to the embodiment of the present invention,the left side and the right side of the reflector 38 are fixed byprojecting the protrusion 30 with a fixed height from the main support36 so that the protrusion 30 penetrates the first hole 60 formed in thereflector 38 and the second hole 42 formed in the bottom cover 32.Thereby, the movement of the reflector 38 is prevented upon the LCMassembly.

Also, the protrusion 30 of the main support 36 comes up as much as thethickness of the bottom cover 32 to prevent leakage of light, whichoccurs in conventional LCMs because of the movement of the reflector 38caused by vibration and shock.

As described above, the protrusion 30 is formed in the main support 36.The reflector 38 and the bottom cover 32 have holes formed therein forreceiving the protrusion. Movement of the reflector is prevented,thereby preventing light leakage while attending to the demand for itsslimness.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A method of fabricating a liquid crystal displaymodule for a notebook computer including assembling a liquid crystaldisplay panel, a light source, a light guide panel, a reflector and anoptical sheet into a main support, comprising: turning said main supportover such that a region including a receiving space of a back light unitand said liquid crystal display panel faces upward; depositing at leastone optical sheet in the receiving space of said main support; puttingsaid light guide panel on said optical sheet; and putting said reflectoron said light guide panel.
 10. The method according to claim 9, furthercomprising: mounting onto said main support, a bottom cover wrapping arear surface of said reflector and a side surface and a bottom surfaceof said main support; turning said main support over again; putting saidliquid crystal display panel on said twice turned-over main support; andmounting a top case wrapping the edge of said liquid crystal displaypanel and the side surface of said main support.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 9, wherein a protrusion is formed in a region of saidmain support for fixing said reflector.
 12. The method according toclaim 11, wherein the protrusion includes a boss.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 9,. wherein a first hole is formed in said reflectorfor receiving the protrusion of said main support.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 10, wherein a second hole is formed in said bottomcover for receiving the protrusion of said main support.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 10, wherein the protrusion of said main support isinserted into said first hole when said reflector is disposed on saidlight guide panel so that said main support and said reflector are fixedas soon as said reflector is mounted on said main support.
 16. A methodof fabricating a liquid crystal display module for a notebook computer,comprising: providing a main support having a receiving space facingupward, wherein the main support includes a protrusion projected from asurface of said main support to a fixed height; providing a light guidepanel within said receiving space; and providing a reflector on thelight guide panel such that a portion of said reflector is fixed to saidmain support by the protrusion of said main support, wherein saidreflector wraps a surface of the light guide panel.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 16, wherein the protrusion includes a boss.
 18. Themethod according to claim 16, further comprising: mounting onto saidmain support, a bottom cover wrapping a surface of said reflector and aside surface and a bottom surface of said main support; turning saidmain support over; putting a liquid crystal display panel on saidturned-over main support and over said light guide panel; and mounting atop case wrapping the edge of said liquid crystal display panel and theside surface of said main support.
 19. The method according to claim 16,wherein said reflector wraps a surface of the light guide panel andextends beyond said light guide panel; and wherein said reflector isfixed to said main support at a location corresponding to a portion ofsaid reflector that extends beyond said light guide panel.
 20. Themethod according to claim 19, wherein said protrusion of said mainsupport penetrates through a first hole formed in said reflector. 21.The method according to claim 18, wherein a second hole is formed insaid bottom cover for receiving the protrusion of said main support. 22.A method of fabricating a liquid crystal display module, comprising:providing a main support, wherein said main support includes aprotrusion projected to a fixed height from a surface of said mainsupport; providing an optical sheet within a receiving space formed inthe main support; providing a light guide panel on said optical sheet;providing a reflector on said light guide panel; providing a bottomcover on said reflector; providing a liquid crystal display panel onsaid optical sheet; and providing a top case on said liquid crystaldisplay panel, said main support, and said bottom cover, wherein saidprotrusion penetrates a portion of said reflector.
 23. A liquid crystaldisplay module, comprising: a main support, wherein said main supportincludes a protrusion projected to a fixed height from a surface of saidmain support; an optical sheet within a receiving space formed in themain support; a light guide panel on said optical sheet; a reflector onsaid light guide panel; a bottom cover on said reflector; a liquidcrystal display panel on said optical sheet; and a top case on saidliquid crystal display panel, said main support, and said bottom cover,wherein said protrusion penetrates a portion of said reflector.